“If you’re going to shave, that is NOT the time to put on your super tight jeans,” says Dr. Nazarian. Good things can happen when you know how to exfoliate properly: Your acne lessens, your skin begins to glow and shaving can become a heck of a lot easier. Use a gentle, pH-balanced shave gel to protect your skin while shaving. That’s why it’s important to gently exfoliate before you shave (to help loosen up trapped hairs), always use a pH-balanced … Never dry shave your bikini area or shave without a shave gel. Exfoliating before you shave … “The newer generations I see are actually embracing hair in that area, so I would just say, do what makes you happy.”. The pubic area is one of the most sensitive areas for women in the body. This could leave the skin red and painful, as well as vulnerable to sun damage if you're shaving your bikini line for a day at the beach or pool. If you have tea tree oil or any anti-redness serum, apply it to the area. Moisturize the bikini Shaving area Apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the areas you want to shave. ... For the general pubic area. This tip has nothing to do with comfort, but it has … “Some people think sharp razors are bad,” she says, “but sharp razors are actually better — it’s the same thing as knives. Don't go at it right away – take a shower or bath, then start shaving for … Use your hands or a soft washcloth to gently scrub along your bikini line and then let the mixture sit on your skin for 3 to 4 minutes. ... Exfoliate. Go slowly, be gentle, and do not blind-shave. Use warm water (not hot) so that your skin will start to breathe. Trimming before … Grab hold of the razor and move it in the direction of the hair growth, not against it—that's a surefire way to get the smaller hairs trapped under your skin when they start to grow back in, creating that painful ingrown hair. If you do end up with an ingrown hair, treat it gently with products specifically formulated to exfoliate the area, like the European Wax Center Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Serum. For the bikini area, you'll want to use a gentle exfoliant like brown sugar. Read more: Homemade Exfoliating Face Scrub. Plus, advice from doctors on what to do if something goes wrong (from nicks and cuts to pesky ingrown hairs). Although there are plenty of commercial exfoliation products available for purchase, it's easy and inexpensive to make your own at-home ingrown hair scrub with pantry ingredients such as sugar. Follow up shaving by moisturizing with a fragrance-free lotion. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email. Rinse away any excess shaving cream with warm water and gently dry off. It’s helpful for every minor skin-related ailment you can imagine. Read more: Itchy Scalp & Acne: A Complete Guide to Scalp Health. Use your hands or a soft washcloth to gently scrub along your bikini line and then let the mixture sit on your skin for 3 to 4 minutes. Shave… (That’s right: Your skinny jeans may actually be causing your ingrown-pube misery.) Even if you have a good handle on how to shave pubic hair, you probably still have some lingering questions, like... why is there hair there in the first place? A male asked: i have a tiny pain in the area just above my pubic … And what do I do if I cut myself? Add essential oils, such as lavender or peppermint, for fragrance. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. This prevents itching after a shave. What to Use to Exfoliate Your Intimate Area You can choose a mitten, loofah, granulated scrub from the shop or a DIY one. If you have a shaving brush, work the product with the brush in circles to help lift hair so you get a closer shave. Because of this, both Dr. Wechsler and Dr. Nazarian suggest using brand-new, disposable, two-blade razors each time you decide to shave your pubic area — two blades to ensure there is little to no damage to your down-there dermis, and disposable because you shouldn’t be using said razor on other parts of your body. A simple scrub-down is all you need. Rinse well before you start to shave. A 46-year-old female asked: tingling feeling in pubic hair area? Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. “You don’t want to be spreading that around to your arms, legs, or anywhere else.”, Dr. Wechsler and Dr. Nazarian also agree that perhaps the most frustrating part of any shaving activity would have to be the emergence of ingrown hairs, which can be especially uncomfortable and painful when they appear around your pubic area. Although if you do prefer to use a traditional shaving … Going slow is also vital to preventing cuts and nicks: “All those mistakes that people make happen because they’re just not taking their time,” says Dr. Nazarian. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Timing Is Everything. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. It’s time to grab your trusty 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel again for this step to help provide a layer of glide and help prevent shaving … A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, Itchy Scalp & Acne: A Complete Guide to Scalp Health, Westlake Dermatology: Exfoliation Basics: Why Exfoliate + How to Do It Better, Medical News Today: How to treat and prevent ingrown leg hairs, Cleveland Clinic: Q&A: Expert Explains Best Way to Handle Your Ingrown Hair, Iowa State University: Sugar: Not Just for Sweets, How to Make Your Own Gentle Exfoliator for the Bikini Line, How to Prevent Red Bumps When Shaving the Pubic Area, How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks with Lemons. First off, “never dry shave,” says New York dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, “so either lather up with a good soap or a body wash for your pre-shaving treatment.”. “You’re harboring vaginal bacteria in that area,” says Dr. Nazarian. Before shaving your legs, clean the area with a washcloth or loofah to exfoliate. The first practical step is trimming your hair short. Kelsey Casselbury is a freelance writer and editor based in central Maryland. There's noticeably less info out there for shaving down there than there is about shaving other body hair. - Exfoliate, then rub the area with baby oil before you shave to soften the hair and skin. If you're looking to avoid the bumps, exfoliate with an ingrown hair scrub before you shave. The area is … Use a loofah, washcloth, or exfoliating sponge to gently exfoliate your skin before shaving. Wait for about 10 minutes before removing the cold compress so that you will not experience irritation. Shaving and waxing make your skin extra-sensitive for about 24 hours, and your open pores get infected much more easily during this time. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the Pennsylvania State University. Trimming of the hair. The next time … This step is very important since if we don’t do it we can irritate the skin or even cut ourselves. People think you’re more likely to get hurt with a sharp knife, but a dull knife is actually more dangerous to use because you have to push harder to get it to work.” For a closer shave, use a sharp razor. Sugar is also a natural humectant, so it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. Why shave Pubic … It's best to use fragrance-free shaving cream on the area, as creams with fragrance can irritate the delicate skin. Absolutely. Shave your legs one long stroke at a … Rinse well before you start to shave. To exfoliate the bikini area, scoop a bit of your homemade scrub out of the container into your hands. The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. When shaving pubic hair, you're dealing with a sensitive area so you'd definitely want to keep a few tips in mind. “Make sure you can really see what you’re doing, even if it means taking a mirror into the shower!” says Dr. Wechsler. “Every time the razor drags across the skin, it’s creating microscopic cracks,” she explains. As like the other places like hands, feet, etc. What’s more, exfoliating before shaving helps the pubic hair face outwards, reducing the chances of snagging your razor and cutting yourself. Then lather up your legs using a shaving gel or cream. Apply shaving cream or gel. Media, American Academy of Clinical Chemistry, SmartBrief and more. Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. Do it in the … Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. And you especially don’t want any harmful bacteria festering down there — it has the potential to be extremely dangerous. While shaving down there, “you want to avoid mucosa areas in general,” she says. ... Wash area before shaving – warm water ... Read More. Exfoliate. Use your hands or a soft washcloth to gently scrub along your bikini line and then let the mixture sit on your skin for 3 to 4 minutes. Start Exfoliating Wet the pubic region and allow the pores to open up. “An ingrown hair is when a hair is attempting to grow out of the skin but ends up curling back into the skin as opposed to curling out of it,” Dr. Wechsler explains. It is better if you sit in the shower for this. When you are done with shaving the area, wash off the hairs and place a cold compress on the shaved pubic area. In the interest of making sure you're shaving safely and effectively, here's a step-by-step guide for how to shave pubic hair from start to finish. Use a loofah, washcloth, or exfoliating sponge to gently exfoliate your skin before shaving. The sweet stuff works better than other abrasive ingredients (such as salt) because its granules are small and less damaging to the skin. It Starts With The Right Razor. Experts believe it has to do with how your body defends itself. how to exfoliate the pubic hair area. When your hair is long enough to shave, start by gently exfoliating the area with an ingrown hair scrub and then slather the skin with a creamy, alcohol-free shaving cream. Shaving your pubic hair doesn’t make you more hygienic, although it may be helpful if you have body lice. To find out how to exfoliate like a boss — and if we should exfoliate before or after shaving … If you nick or cut your pubic area, Dr. Wechsler urges you to apply gentle pressure on it to stop the bleeding and to make sure the area is clean by washing it with soap and water. It might sound like a natural first step, but … Without proper exfoliation, the older skin cells, as well as the debris that comes with them, can trap in bacteria by blocking the pores. Your skin naturally sloughs off old cells and generates new ones, but sometimes your body needs a little help in speeding up the turnover process. Harsh exfoliants aren't necessary and can actually do more harm than good in your pubic area. The area is … Send thanks to the doctor. “When you shave that hair,” Dr. Nazarian notes, “you’re leaving the skin more vulnerable to these infectious agents.” But don’t let that stop you from stripping away unwanted follicles — shaving your vulva is totally safe if done in the proper way. Dull razor blades and tight clothes are contributors. Want more from Teen Vogue? Whether you choose to shave your bikini area regularly or not, having a safe shave routine is a must. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize. First of all, apply shaving cream or a special gel to the pubic area. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Nazarian also says not to be fooled by razor companies that advertise more blades as better. The tools and approach you use to shave your pubic and perineal area are important to have the best possible experience and smoothest possible shave. In the same vein, Dr. Nazarian suggests following up the cleanse with Aquaphor to prevent the cut from getting infected. “If you apply the cream cold, it keeps the area nice and cool and actually helps symptomatically, with the pain and the red bumps.”. Let us slide into your DMs. The area is naturally sensitive, so make sure to not over-exfoliate by scrubbing the mixture too hard on your skin. Store the scrub in an airtight container for about four weeks. If you're about to get dressed and go out, you can also put on a powder-like Gold Bond Powder to prevent rubbing or chafing (talc-based powders or baby powder are not recommended). The sensitive skin there is delicate and prone to irritation. Exfoliating gets rid of all the dead skin cells that may fall in the open pores and cause infections or ingrown hairs. After trimming any long hairs as needed, use a gentle scrub, loofah or exfoliation gloves and lightly scrub the pubic area. Dab on some pre-shaving oil. "In some ways, pubic hair is like a protective barrier,” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology. If possible, exfoliate daily or right before shaving … Exfoliating regularly both before and after you shave is huge for soft, smooth skin. Secondly, Dr. Wechsler urges against using dull blades anywhere near your private parts. Shaving your pubic area is easier when you've already trimmed off any excess hair. But that 1% comes into play when we're talking pubic hair. © 2021 Condé Nast. “You should really stick to the areas where you just have hair — you shouldn’t go into the area that’s more internal, because it’s just going to irritate and inflame it.” Dr. Wechsler agrees that there's no need to get every single strand of hair — and that removing hair around the labia should be done especially carefully, if at all. Combine 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of olive or coconut oil. All products featured on Teen Vogue are independently selected by our editors. Harsh … Take a bath before you shave to allow pubic hair to soften up, as it is quite coarse while dry. The first step in proper pubic hair care is knowing when you're ready for another shave or wax session. Her clients have included Livestrong, School Nutrition magazine, What's Up? It all comes down to choosing the right razor. Exfoliating does just that. Using a loofah or a gentle scrub, exfoliate the area you plan to groom. We talked to top dermatologists to get answers to these and other questions about tending our gardens. Trim excess hair before you shave, shape, or tidy. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The pubic area … Make sure skin is damp but not overly wet. Use a loofah, washcloth, or exfoliating sponge to gently exfoliate your skin before shaving. Exfoliating your pubic area is high up on the list of things that people don't usually talk about, but it's an important pubic hair care step to avoid ingrown hairs in the sensitive bikini area. - Shave using a men's razor (one with four blades) and men's moisturising shaving … Should I prep my skin before I shave? Shave over the toilet, towel or plastic bag. Rinse well before you start to shave. After you step out of the shower and pat yourself down … And if you do get a cut, an infection, or some sort of abscess, she insists that you go see your dermatologist immediately. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you use sugar scrub instead of regular shaving cream. “Since it curls back in, the body sees it as a foreign object and takes defense — the skin around it will become inflamed and you will be left with an irritated swollen bump.”. All rights reserved. Exfoliating will remove any dead skin and allow you to shave the hair as near to the root as possible. Shave your pubic area. Exfoliating first will allow you to shave the hair as near to the root as possible. “Some want less hair, although I’ll tell you, that wave has been turning, too,” Dr. Nazarian says. We especially recommend the mitten or a granulated scrub, but choose one with small and round microspheres, which are gentler on the skin. If you decide to shave, no matter which body part it is that you're shaving, 99% of times, the process is pretty intuitive. Dr. Wechsler tells her patients an easy trick to help fight razor burn (especially in the summertime): “Put your hydrocortisone cream in the fridge!” she says. Wait until the hair down there is longer than 1/4 of an inch, which gives the razor blade or wax something to grip onto—without it, the hairs will break in half, which increases the likelihood of an ingrown hair. To avoid ugly, painful ingrown hairs, follow these do's and don'ts: Ingrown hairs are, literally and figuratively, a pain to deal with. Pubic hair grows around sexual orgasms. Using an ingrown hair scrub will ensure that you're taking matter into your own hands — before they start getting under your skin. Exfoliating will remove any dead skin and allow you to shave the hair as near to the root as possible… Grab a pair of small scissors or a hair trimmer and cut your pubic hair so it's only a few centimeters long. For the area … Indeed, "hair down there" seems to be evolution’s way of protecting your internal body from itself — as well as from other foreign entities — even protecting against conditions like molluscum contagiosum or STDs like herpes. Pull the skin taut and shave in the direction of your hair growth to avoid irritating the hair follicle. The skin on the private area needs exfoliating just like the skin on the other parts of the body that needs epilating. – Make sure that you bathe before you shave (yes, because it cleans the area, but mainly because it softens the hair and preps the skin to be shaved, which ultimately leaves … Check this out: How to Treat Vaginal Pimples and Acne. Ad Choices, How to Shave Pubic Hair If You Have a Vagina, Dermatologists share exactly how to shave down there.Â, The MAJOR Pubic Hair Mistake You Don't Realize You're Making, This Trick Is the Secret to Making Your Shave Last Longer, Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology, European Wax Center Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Serum. If you're wondering how to shave pubic hair, you're not alone. “It’s such an embarrassing area of the body for people sometimes, but it’s OK — that’s what we’re here for," she says. According to the Cleveland Clinic, pesky ingrown hairs are more likely to occur in this area, and because of how thin the skin is, they are also more noticeable. Needs epilating barrier, ” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology shaving – warm water and gently dry.. Scissors or a special gel to the root as possible bumps, exfoliate the bikini area or shave without shave. And retains moisture in the shower for this irritating the hair the area... 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